Food Is The Star Of Pompano Seafood Festival

April 22, 1992|By MICHAEL SAUNDERS, Staff Writer

POMPANO BEACH -- All year, the city waits for its chance to showcase its hospitality. That chance comes along this weekend with the eighth annual Pompano Beach Seafood Festival, a two-day party thrown by the local Chamber of Commerce.

The estimated turnout -- more than 100,000 -- and the caliber of entertainment rivals that of festivals in larger Broward County cities.

And then there`s the food: Cajun-blackened anything, flaky alligator tail, octopus, squid, and concoctions designed to make a vegetarian think twice.

``We`ll have a little better mix of seafood than we`ve had in previous years,`` festival manager John Good said. ``There are several specialty items we didn`t have last year, plus all the traditional favorites.``

New food calls for new entertainment, and organizers plan a feast for the eyes on Saturday, when a 170-foot freighter laced with explosives will sink in a huge ball of smoke and flame.

The Union Express will settle to the bottom in 110 feet of water, about a mile offshore, as an artifical reef for divers, perhaps as an act of redemption after a checkered past. Built in Germany in 1960, it carried food and wood in Europe during its youth, but was used later to transport drugs in the Caribbean. Weather permitting, the ship will sink at 2 p.m.

On shore, local musicians will perform on two stages at either end of the festival, which stretches along State Road A1A between Atlantic Boulevard and the fishing pier. `

A 700-foot boardwalk is only half as long as last year`s version, but will still allow people to walk between the arts and crafts booths and beverage vendors. New this year will be a children`s play area at the north end of the boardwalk, featuring a ferris wheel, games, rides and a full complement of clowns and costumed characters.

Some of the squabbles that plagued the festival appear to have been solved. Last year, the city threatened to cancel the event unless the chamber increased the share of proceeds given to charity from 55 percent to 70 percent. Also last year, the festival was moved from late May to late April to avoid turtle nesting season.

Neighborhood residents ask that festivalgoers use the free parking provided by local businesses.